No guarantees of a fix-free World Cup

Cricket's world governing body won't guarantee the World Cup will be free of match fixing but is confident everything possible has been done to minimise the risk.

The International Cricket Council's Dave Richardson says its anti-corruption unit has put more effort into this world cup than any previous world cup to eradicate match fixing.

He says the unit now has much greater knowledge of those involved in approaching players, umpires and ground staff in an effort to influence games.

"I think we are the best placed ever as far as preventing any fixing," he said.

'Everything that can be done as been done to keep the World Cup corruption free' - ICC. Photo: Photosport

"If anybody is even attempting to approach players they will find it very difficult. The players have been tremendous over the last couple of years, certainly over the past 12 months, in really acknowledging their responsibility towards fighting the sickness in the game."

"We're finding that we're getting so many more approaches from the players even approaches that on the face of it would (seem) very innocent approaches so they're taking to heart the education they receive in this regard and they realise the threat that does exist."

Richardson said the fight is not against the players but against those that travel the world trying to match fix.

"You can never guarantee anything...but I think we have done all we can to make to minismise the risk."

Richardson said players have also been warned about on field abuse or sledging during the tournament.

Excessive sledging will see players fined or banned as part of an International Cricket Council "crackdown" on poor behaviour.

The ICC doesn't want the World Cup marred by sledging, as happened during Australia's tour of England last year. Photo: Photosport

"For a first offence, you'll likely end up with a fine which no player likes, handing back most of his match fee," he said.

"But a repeat offence will be punished with a suspension."

Richardson said that the ICC, cricket's world governing body, had already been acting to combat players' behaviour well before its showpiece tournament and that those "already with offences behind their name" will face suspensions for further indiscretions.

"The majority of the players and the teams play the game in a good spirit," he said, singling out the likes of New Zealand, South Africa, the West Indies and Sri Lanka.